Posted on Tue, Apr. 01, 2008
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Associaiton economic impact: $30.7 million
JEFFERSON GEORGE
The recent CIAA basketball tournament brought $30.7 million to the Charlotte area, with the average visitor spending $695, tourism officials said Tuesday.
Those numbers come from surveys by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority in conjunction with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Officials asked a sample of CIAA fans to rate the venues, entertainment, nightlife and other aspects of the tournament, which was Feb. 25-March 1 in uptown Charlotte.
Nearly 30,000 people visited Charlotte for the tournament, officials said, up from 27,000 the previous year. About 97 percent of those surveyed plan to attend next year's event.
Visitors spent a total of $20.5 million, which translates to $30.7 million through a formula used by tourism officials. That formula counts indirect and induced spending, such as businesses ordering new inventory and employees using increased income to buy goods.
http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_ne...ry/561851.html